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Rafael Nadal badly needs a Plan B

Pat Cash

A more attacking game style would ease the strains on world No 1’s body

Witnessing Rafael Nadal being forced to retire midway through a match at the sharp end of a Grand Slam tournament for the second time this year was an ominous and depressing sight. Nadal is one of the most warrior-like players to have walked on to a tennis court, but there is a physical price to be paid in every practice session, let alone every match that he plays. He doesn’t just battle against the player at the other end, he fights against his own body and, sooner or later, that is going to take its toll.

As I know from bitter experience, tendinitis equates to excruciating pain and just about every tennis player experiences it at some time. Yet because of his game style, Nadal…

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